Going off-road can be both adventurous and dangerous, meaning beginners would do well to take the necessary precautionary measures. Road bikes are something to try out, as long as riders are able to do so with the right paraphernalia and being educated on what lies ahead.
What type of bike?
There are plenty of things to digest when it comes to off-road riding. As far as wardrobe is concerned folks would normally go for the branded ones while others would get the colour theme designs that best suits their taste (and on occasion their bike).
Whilst that is up to the rider, the most important piece is the helmet. Make sure that the one you get is DOT-compliant for obvious safety reasons. Beyond that, one can consider getting goggles, the long-sleeved suits, protective armour and maybe some knee pads. As one can see, off-road riding seems to be similar to any sport which requires the necessary protection from bumps or even the harmful rays of the sun at times.
As for the bike itself, this is where it gets a bit tricky. The first thing that comes to any riders mind is that the more powerful a bike is, the better. In some cases that may be true. However, the high-powered bikes would best be handled by the seasoned riders. For the neophytes, it doesn’t hurt to start out with 60 bhp bike – something that may actually be more than what needs. For the record, this is not motocross – meaning that the main thing about off-road riding is having fun and being in the company of your friends.
What added accessories can you add to your bike?
Regardless if one gets a high-powered bike or not, it would be best to also arm it with some of the simple yet useful stuff. That includes installing perhaps the brightest halogen headlight bulbs which will come in handy for folks who plan to go on long rides or when the sun starts to go down.
What model of bikes is best?
For riders in search of a great adventure, there are a couple of models to consider. Among the popular choices for adventure, motorcycles include the KTM 640 Adventure or the Kawasaki KLR 650. Riders who want a more flexible machine that can be used off-road or paved roads, Enduro bikes would be the best way to go. It would be best to carefully skim on the two-wheeled machine of choice although there are dual-sport bikes to choose from.
Off-road biking groups
Assuming that all those bases are covered, the best way to enjoy off-road biking is with groups. There are clubs one can join, a great way to expand one’s network and make new friends. Better yet, these guys can guide you along the way, show you new trails or even suggest improvements to your current bike if not direct you to get the proper one suited for your skill set. Like any new endeavour, it is a learning process where any person needs to go through stages. Some may be too proud to admit it but learning from seasoned riders will go a long way.
First-timers will always come to a point where they will stumble and fall. This will vary of course, but the thing here is that you don’t get better if you do not commit mistakes. The same holds true for off-road riding where some may find their ride too wild to handle or even fall short of successfully complete a climb.
Once a rider is seasoned enough, it cannot be discounted where they would want to go out on their own expedition. It could be a place mentioned or found on the Internet, something that should serve as a challenge for them to try out.
Biking gadgets
In any case, a common problem for most is navigation. Investing in a tracker at some point would make sense although the modern age has allowed anyone to simply download an app and go on their rides. Some of the recommended apps to consider are Strava and Edomondo, each coming with maps that should guide anyone along their journey.
Speaking of mobile devices, it would be best as well to realize that these gadgets also run out of battery at some point. Depending on how far a route would be, it would be wise to have a backup battery or some sort of solar-powered or kinetic charger to make sure that one does not end up lost in the trail. Power banks would be ideal for as long as they are not bulky to bring along for the ride.
Most of the tips mentioned are basic but informative to the neophyte riders. Upgrading bikes and the accessories tied up to it should follow at some point, probably best if only needed. Off-road riding promises to be an adventurous and memorable one so it would be best to learn first about it and invest in the stuff that one would really need along the way.
